Premier Anna Bligh meets miners from Anglo Coal's Moranbah North Mine yesterday after six weeks of job cuts in the mining industry. The latest came from BHP Billiton, which cut more than 1000 jobs on Wednesday.Amanda Balmer

Asked whether she thought these projects were big enough to temper job cuts, Ms Bligh admitted there was “no silver bullet” that would solve the problems of our heavy industries but promised there would be more to come.

“The world economy is in crisis,” Ms Bligh said.

“But we know it won't be forever and we have picked projects to start construction in this financial year.

“These dollars now - by bringing them forward - create new jobs.

“And as the economy improves they will be ready for the good times.

“But there's going to be very tough times and we need to brace for 2009.”

The Premier said the projects, which included $1.6 million to give accommodation to health staff in Moranbah, Clermont and Dysart and $5 million to upgrade the notorious Peak Downs Highway were only the first instalments.

“There will be a medium to long-term response,” Ms Bligh said.

“But we need every level of government to work together.”

The Premier “fast-tracked” a chunk of the $100 million package originally aimed at helping mining centres deal with the overheating that came from 2008's boom times but now the cash would be used to prop up mining towns hit hardest by the economic downturn.

Ms Bligh said these projects, not scheduled until later this year, were brought forward so construction could begin immediately and positions filled by those most vulnerable.

The Premier said the Rapid Response Flying Squad in Mackay had provisions to help anyone left out of work by mining job cuts.

“But the object is to keep people already in work, at work,” she said.